THERMAL SCIENCE

International Scientific Journal

Thermal Science - Online First

Srđan M. Vasković

,

Milica M. Perić

,

Petar M. Gvero

,

Mirko S. Komatina

,

Milan A. Jugović

online first only

Multi-criteria analysis of agricultural bioenergy chains

ABSTRACT
This study proposes optimal supply chain models for agricultural biomass, focusing on straw and corn stalks. Four bioenergy chains-corn stalk pellets, corn stalk chips, straw bales, and straw pellets-were evaluated using multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) tools and life cycle assessment (LCA). Key criteria included energy efficiency, investment costs, fuel production costs, and environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, acidification, eutrophication, and particulate matter formation. Results indicate that straw bales (L3) and corn stalk chips (L2) offer the most sustainable options, with straw bales demonstrating superior energy efficiency and lower environmental impacts. The VIKOR method, combined with the Entropy Weight Method (EWM), identified straw bales as the optimal supply chain under various weighting scenarios. These findings provide actionable insights for sustainable bioenergy development and policy formulation.
KEYWORDS
agricultural biomass, bioenergy, life cycle assessment, straw, corn stalk, MCDM
PAPER SUBMITTED: 2024-08-20
PAPER REVISED: 2025-01-22
PAPER ACCEPTED: 2025-01-27
PUBLISHED ONLINE: 2025-02-16
DOI REFERENCE: https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI240820010V
REFERENCES
  1. Republika Srbija, M. rudarstva i energetike, Strategija razvoja energetike republike Srbije do 2025. sa projecijama do 2030., 2015
  2. Tica, N., et al., Izveštaj projekta: Mogućnosti i ekonomski aspekti upotrebe žetvenih ostataka za proizvodnju toplotne energije (Project report: Possibilities and economic aspects of using of agricultural residues for heat production), Novi Sad, 2015
  3. Society, G.S.E., & Ecofys., Planning And Installing Bioenergy Systems A Guide For Installers, Architects And Engineers, 2004
  4. Turanjanin, V.M., et al., Development Of The Boiler For Combustion Of Agricultural Biomass By Products, Thermal Science, 14 (2010), 3, pp. 707-714
  5. Marinković, A.D., et al., POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS EMISSION FROM CIGAR BURNER COMBUSTION SYSTEM AND COMPARISON OF THEIR CONTENT IN FLY ASHES, Thermal Science, 26 (2022), 6, pp. 4749-4761
  6. Martinez-Valencia, L., et al., Biomass supply chain equipment for renewable fuels production: A review, Biomass and Bioenergy, Volume 148, (2021)
  7. Nunes, L.J.R., Silva, S., Optimization Of The Residual Biomass Supply Chain: Process Characterization And Cost Analysis, Logistics, 7 (2023), 3
  8. Vatsanidou, A., et al., A Life Cycle Assessment Of Biomass Production From Energy Crops In Crop Rotation Using Different Tillage System, Sustainability (Switzerland), 12 (2020), 17
  9. Lijó, L., et al., Life Cycle Assessment Of Renewable Energy Production From Biomass : The Italian Experience, in: Green Energy and Technology, Springer Verlag, 2019, pp. 81-98
  10. Sun, O., Fan, N., A Review on Optimization Methods for Biomass Supply Chain: Models and Algorithms, Sustainable Issues, and Challenges and Opportunities, Process Integr Optim Sustain 4, 203-226 (2020). doi.org/10.1007/s41660-020-00108-9
  11. Mann, M.K., Spath, P.L., Life Cycle Assessment Of A Biomass Gasification Combined-Cycle System, Fuel and Energy Abstracts, 2009 (1997), Journal Article, pp. 100
  12. Wang, C.N., et al., Bi-Objective Optimization Modeling For Biomass Supply Chain Planning, Measurement and Control (United Kingdom), (2024)
  13. Huy Nguyen, D., Study on biomass supply chain planning and inventory control of perishable products, Other. Université de Technologie de Troyes, 2019. English. ffNNT : 2019TROY0005ff. fftel-03615104f, (2022)
  14. Yu, Z., et al., Review in life cycle assessment of biomass conversion through pyrolysis-issues and recommendations, Green Chemical Engineering, Volume 3, Issue 4, (2022), Pages 304-312, ISSN 2666-9528
  15. Helal, M.A., et al., A Review of Biomass-to-Bioenergy Supply Chain Research Using Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization, MDPI, 2023
  16. Osman, A.I., et al., Conversion of biomass to biofuels and life cycle assessment: a review. Environ Chem Lett 19, 4075-4118 (2021)
  17. Firouzi, S., et al., Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach To Select Appropriate Biomass Resources For Biofuel Production, Science of the Total Environment, 770 (2021)
  18. Štilić, A., Puška, A., Integrating Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods with Sustainable Engineering: A Comprehensive Review of Current Practices, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) (2023)
  19. Vasković, S., et al., Energy Chains Optimization For Selection Of Sustainable Energy Supply, in: Sustainable Supply Chain Management, InTech, (2016)
  20. Mrkić-Bosancic, M., et al., OPTIMIZATION OF ENERGY MIX AND POSSIBILITIES OF ITS APPLICATION IN ENERGY TRANSITION USING MULTICRITERIA APPROACH, Thermal Science, (2023), 27, 3, pp 2501. 2512
  21. Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, H., et al., Life cycle assessment of bioenergy product systems: A critical review, Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Energy, Volume 1, (2021)
  22. Perić, M., et al., Life Cycle Assessment Of Wood Chips Supply Chain In Serbia, 155 (2020), pp. 1302-1311
  23. Ma, Y., et al., The Economic Feasibility And Life Cycle Carbon Emission Of Developing Biomass-Based Renewable Combined Heat And Power (RCHP) Systems, Fuel, 353 (2023), pp. 129177
  24. Perić, M., et al., Life Cycle Impact Assessment Of Miscanthus Crop For Sustainable Household Heating In Serbia, Forests, 9 (2018), 10
  25. Peric, M.M., et al., Diesel Production By Fast Pyrolysis Of Miscanthus Giganteus, Well-Topump Analysis Using The Greet Model, Thermal Science, 2018 (2018)
  26. Alejandro Perdomo, E.E., et al., Life Cycle Assessment Of Agricultural Wood Production-Methodological Options: A Literature Review. Bioenerg. Res. 14, 492-509 (2021)
  27. Campos-Guzmán, V., et al., Life Cycle Analysis with Multi-Criteria Decision Making: A review of approaches for the sustainability evaluation of renewable energy technologies, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (2019), 104, issue C, p. 343-366
  28. Vasković, S., et al., Multi-Criteria Optimization Concept for the Selection of Optimal Solid Fuels Supply Chain from Wooden Biomass, (2015)
  29. ***, www.propelety.com/pellet-line/,
  30. Kwaśniewski, D., Logistic And Economical Preconditions For Production Of Pellets From Sawdust, Agricultural Engineering, 23 (2019), 2, pp. 5-14
  31. ***, tehmago.co.rs/category/poljoprivredne-masine-i-oprema,
  32. Đević, M., et al., Modern Wheat Combine Claas Lexion 450 In Corn And Wheat Harvesting, Agric Technol (Thail), 28 (2004), 1, pp. 27-40
  33. Bavrka, I., Ekonomska opravdanost korištenja žetvenih ostataka za unaprjeđenje dohotka, Diplomski rad, Univerzitet u Zagrebu, Poljoprivredni fakultet (2017)
  34. Comer, K., C.T., BALES (Biomass Alliance for Logistics Efficiency and Specifications) Project Overview and Harvest Data Collection Progress, Plans, and Issues, 2015
  35. Potkonjak, V., Zoranović, M., Collection, Transport And Storage Of Straw Bales., Contemporary agricultural technology, 31 (2005), 4, pp. 204-210
  36. Theerarattananoon, K., et al., Physical Properties Of Pellets Made From Sorghum Stalk, Corn Stover, Wheat Straw, And Big Bluestem, Ind Crops Prod, 33 (2011), 2, pp. 325-332
  37. Sokhansanj, S., T.A., T.S., & M.S., Integrating Biomass Feedstock With An Existing Grain Handling System For Biofuels., ASABE (2006) Paper No. 06618 . St. Joseph, Mich., (2006)
  38. Zajac, P., Rozic, T., Energy Consumption Of Forklift Versus Standards, Effects Of Their Use And Expectations, Energy, 239 (2022)
  39. Krmpotić T., Kiš A., Total Costs Of Agricultural Machinery, Agric Technol (Thail), 30 (2005), 2, pp. 105-114
  40. Savin, L., Optimization of the Structure of the Machine Pool at Field Crops Production, Ph. D. thesis, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, (2004)
  41. ***, EUROSTAT, 2019
  42. Mariotti, M., et al., The Analysis Of Wheat Yield Variability Based On Experimental Data From 2008-2018 To Understand The Yield Gap, (2021)
  43. Tarkalson, D.D., et al., Impact Of Removing Straw From Wheat And Fields: A Literature Review, Better Crops, 93 (2009), 3, pp. 17-19
  44. Guerrieri, A.S., et al., Study Of A Large Square Baler With Innovative Technological Systems That Optimize The Baling E_ectiveness, Agriculture (Switzerland), 9 (2019), 5
  45. Suardi, A., et al., Economic Distance To Gather Agricultural Residues From The Field To The Integrated Biomass Logistic Centre: A Spanish Case-Study, Energies (Basel), 12 (2019), 16
  46. Opricovic, S., Tzeng, G.H., Compromise Solution By MCDM Methods: A Comparative Analysis Of VIKOR And TOPSIS, Eur J Oper Res, 156 (2004), 2, pp. 445-455
  47. Dang, V.T., Dang, W.V.T., Multi-Criteria Decision-Making In The Evaluation Of Environmental Quality Of OECD Countries: The Entropy Weight And VIKOR Methods, International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 36 (2020), 1, pp. 119-130
  48. Mi, J., et al., A Method Of Entropy Weight Quantitative Risk Assessment For The Safety And Security Integration Of A Typical Industrial Control System, IEEE Access, 9 (2021), pp. 90919-90932
  49. FOEN, Non road emissions database, www.bafu.admin.ch/luft/00596/06906/offroad-daten/index.html?lang=en
  50. Radivojević, D., Popis poljoprivrede 2012-Poljoprivredna mehanizacija, oprema i objekti (Census of Agriculture 2012-Agricultural machinery, equipment and facilities), Beograd, 2014
  51. *ers.ba/
  52. Huijbregts, M.A.J., et al., ReCiPe 2016 v1.1 A harmonized life cycle impact assessment method at midpoint and endpoint level Report I: Characterization, 2017
  53. Goedkoop, M., et al., ReCiPe 2008. A LCIA method which comprises harmonised category indicators at the midpoint and the endpoint level. Report I: Characterisation, 2013
  54. Theilig, K., et al., Life Cycle Assessment And Multi-Criteria Decision-Making For Sustainable Building Parts: Criteria, Methods, And Application, International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, (2024)
PDF VERSION [DOWNLOAD]
Multi-criteria analysis of agricultural bioenergy chains